In the 10-year period from 2005 to 2014, pit bulls killed 203 Americans and accounted for 62% of the total recorded deaths (326). Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for 74% of these deaths. | More »

Dangerous dogs ::

Learn about the most dangerous breeds of dogs, which are comprised of pit bull terriers, the fighting breed derivatives and ancestors of pit bull terriers, rottweilers and wolf hybrids.

Pit bull terrier

Pit bull terrier

Pit bull terrier

Rottweiler

Which breeds are they?

Pictured are the two most deadly dog breeds in America: pit bull terriers and rottweilers. Research from DogsBite.org shows that during the 10-year period from 2005 to 2014, these two dog breeds accounted for 74% of the total recorded fatal human attacks.1 By compiling U.S. and Canadian press accounts between 1982 and 2014, a report by Animals 24-7 shows that pit bulls (307) and rottweilers (89) and their mixes contributed to 67% of the attacks resulting in human death.2

It is important to point out that fatal dog attacks committed by pit bulls and their mixes more than doubles the attacks inflicted by rottweilers. It is well documented by experts3 and humane groups4 that pit bulls pose a substantial danger due to their selective breeding for dogfighting. Unlike other dog breeds, pit bulls frequently fail to communicate intention prior to an attack (surprise attacks); possess a lethal bite style (hold and shake) and a ruinous manner of attack (gameness).

Fighting dog breeds

Though much less common than pit bulls, other fighting breeds pose a significant threat to public safety as well. Aurora, Colorado, for instance, currently bans pit bulls and formerly banned5 the following fighting breeds: dogo argentino, presa canario,6 cane corso, tosa inu, fila brasileiro and presa mallorquin. Each of these breeds is either a pit bull derivative or was derived from ancestors similar to pit bull ancestors. Countries, such as Spain and New Zealand, regulate these breeds.

Dogo argentino

Presa canario

Cane corso

Tosa inu

Wolf hybrids (canid hybrid)

Many U.S. states regulate the breeding and ownership of wolf hybrids, a canid hybrid resulting from the mating of a wolf and a dog. This crossbreed also has a deadly track record. According to the same report by Animals 24-7, wolf hybrids accounted for 19 deaths between 1982 and 2014. The death count may much be higher too; owners of wolf hybrids often mislabel their dogs as a husky or malamute-mix to evade detection, as was attempted after the death of Kyle Holland.

Wolf hybrid

Wolf hybrid

Wolf hybrid

Wolf hybrid

Dangerous scenarios

One of the most dangerous scenarios involving high-risk dog breeds is often unaddressed in media stories after serious and fatal dog attacks. The scenario entails bringing a child into the home of a friend or relative who owns a pit bull or rottweiler. The reverse scenario -- one of these dog breeds temporarily staying at the child's home -- is just as dangerous. Three factors are at stake in these cases: 1.) High-risk dog breed 2.) "new" or "temporary" situations and 3.) children.

Additional materials:

Reporting a dangerous dog

Many people are unaware that one does not have to wait for a "bite" to report a threatening (menacing), loose or stray dog. Many attacks occur due to this lack of understanding. Always report problem dogs to your city or county animal control or sheriff's department. If that dog ends up biting and seriously hurting a person, but there is no documented paper trail behind it, authorities will have their hands tied and the victim may have no recourse for medical expenses.

If the dog owner lives on a rental property, it is beneficial to send a certified letter asking the landlord to ensure that proper containment infrastructure is installed and that the dog is declared on the renter's insurance policy. This act normally places the landlord into the "liability equation" and motivates him to take care of the situation. Cell phone photographs and video of the dog's behavior can be sent as supporting evidence to show that an attack situation is imminent.

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Stopping a dangerous dog

Many U.S. courts have declared pit bulls as "lethal weapons." Police officers have the right to shoot and kill pit bulls when under threat or when protecting citizens. Examples of police officers shooting dangerous pit bulls are so common that DogsBite.org began tracking these instances in 2008. In a recent 11-year report released by the New York Police Department, the data showed that when dangerous dogs are shot 72% were pit bulls followed by rottweilers with 10%.7

The inability for the average person, much less a child, pregnant woman or senior citizen, to stop an attacking pit bull may be the single most powerful reason why pit bulls must be regulated. In 2009, Chicago police officers were forced to shoot an aggressive pit bull 10 times to stop the dog's assault. Prior to being shot to death, the animal attacked a pregnant woman hospitalizing her.8 This incident clearly illustrates the undeniable public safety threat that pit bulls present.

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Legislating dangerous dogs

Over 700 U.S. cities, the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and New York Housing Authority have adopted policies that target pit bulls and other dangerous dog breeds due to the unreasonable risk posed by them. Such policies are designed to prevent an attack before it occurs, as there is never enough insurance funds to put these severely injured victims "back together again" after an attack. (Former Lucas County, Ohio Dog Warden, Tom Skeldon, explains this in an online interview.)